Diving South & West

Distance from Laie:

45.2 Miles (72.772 km)

Avg. Time to do activity:

1 Hour

Gear Needed:

Mask, Fins, and Snorkel

Diving on the West side of the island can be a real treat as it gives students a chance to get out of Laie and a little change in the
snorkeling experience. When the surf is low the water on the west side has the best visibility on the island.
One of the most famous dive locations on this side is Electric Beach so named because of the electric power plant
across the street. The plant uses the ocean water to keep equipment cool and then pumps the warm water back into the
ocean about 30 yards from the beach. The flow comes out of a pair of pipes about 12 feet in diameter and the churning current
coming out of the pipes can be seen on the surface. (See image at bottom of screen).
The reef on the pipes and the warm water attract all kinds of fish life, turtles, divers, snorkelers, and occasional dolphin pods.
The map below should be fairly self-explanitory for directions to Electric Beach. Take the North Shore route and
get on the H2 freeway going South. Keep to the right at the H1 interchange and head West on the H1. Then follow it
around the mountain range until you see the big power plant ahead. Turn left into the beach parking lot just as you
reach the plant (aproximately 45 miles from Laie).
If you continue past the power plant the road goes down Kiana point past Waianae and, about 17 miles past electric beach, you will
reach the end of the pavement. There are a lot of open beaches at the end of the point which are good for camping.
Be sure to lock down all valuables in trunks etc. as the area is high in theft.

A few small white caps can be seen in the water at the left of the photo where the current comes out of the pipes.
To the right are a few divers swimming out to the warm current. Aproximate depth to the sand is about 25 feet. Depth from
the coral on the pipes is about 10 feet.